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Hosted by Country music sensation Mila Mason, the One Year
Anniversary Showcase was a hit with the packed-house crowd. Featuring
performances by rising Country stars Allie Brooks, Dave and Whitney,
Dianna Corcoran, Skylar Elise and Jacob Stiefel, it was a wonderful
celebration of the success of Digital Rodeo’s monthly showcases over the
last 12 months. Country music icons Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
were also in attendance as proud parents of performer Allie Brooks, who
played her first live show at the DRX One Year Anniversary Showcase.
The artists were accompanied by the talented Digital Rodeo house band,
consisting of band members Scotty Huff (Guitar, Vox, Music Director), Robbie Emerson (Bass/Vox), Tim Horsley (Drums), Erik Halbig (Guitar) and Lee Turner (Keys).
Held monthly, the DRX showcases highlight some of the platform’s most
promising Country acts while promoting the website’s featured
independent artists. The showcases also provide valuable opportunities
to network with others in the field while enjoying new music from some
of Nashville’s newest talent.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for future
Monthly Showcase Series events. For information on becoming a DRX
Monthly Showcase Series sponsor, please contact John Pyne at john.pyne@digitalrodeo.com or Bev Moser at bev.moser@digitalrodeo.com.

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• September 11, 2015 •
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 503
Garth and Trisha on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
Garth and Trisha on the Music City Walk of Fame.

We headed for Walk of Fame Park on Wednesday afternoon (9/10) for the unveiling of two new stars in its Walkway, and got three instead.
Star #64 was presented to Trisha Yearwood. Star #65 went to Garth Brooks. The surprise of the afternoon was that Star #66 was given to “The Music Mayor,” Karl Dean.
“Mayor Dean made the world know how great Nashville was,” said Trisha. “Everybody wants to be here, and it’s because of you”
“For all that you’ve done for Nashville, let Nashville do something for you,” said Garth. “You are the newest star on the Walk of Fame!”
“I am not often surprised, but I AM surprised,” said Mayor Dean. “Music is so important to Nashville….The fundamental thing about Nashville that’s so cool is the creative people. Cities thrive on creative people. Other cities would die to have what we have. It has been an honor to be the Mayor of Nashville.”
Ken Levitan and Trisha Yearwood.

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
Ken Levitan and Trisha Yearwood.

Bill Cody ably hosted this 15th Walk of Fame ceremony. Ken Levitan inducted Trisha into the Walkway. He cited her 12 million in sales, three best-selling cookbooks, 1999 Grand Ole Opry cast induction, upcoming furniture collection and six seasons of her Emmy-winning Food Network TV series Trisha’s Southern Kitchen.
“I moved to town in 1985,” she recalled. “I wanted it [singing renown] more than anything in the world. It’s very surreal to have gone from moving here and driving up and down 16th and 17th Avenues, being a tour guide [at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as being the receptionist at MTM Records]…. to standing here — This is very emotional and really, really special.
“This is a very special city. If you want to catch a glimpse of me, just come down here, where I’ll be standing on it every day, to make sure it’s still here.”
“To see that star, that is forever,” she added later. “It will be here long after I’m not.”
9.10.15 Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood

Allen Reynolds did the honors for Garth. “I know he’s a famous person, but he is also one of the best human beings I’ve known in my life,” said Allen of the superstar whose records he produced. “He’s been so gracious to everybody around him. He is kind, consistent, compassionate and generous.
“Nashville is lucky to have him as a friend and a neighbor.”
“What I love about this place is that it is the home of the dreamers,” said Garth of Music City. “I cannot thank Nashville enough for giving me a second home. It is the home and the protector and the haven of the songwriters.”
Karl Dean and Ed Hardy surprised Garth with the presentation of the Music City Ambassador Award. “He has carried the Nashville message around the world,” said the Mayor. He also reminded the crowd of the nine concerts that Garth did for the Community Foundation’s flood relief fund. They raised $4 million.
“You have been a model of giving back. Your random acts of kindness have impacted thousands in this community.”
Mayor Karl Dean.

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser.
Mayor Karl Dean.

“Taking this music around the world has been a joy,” said Garth. “Be proud that it’s country music you’re taking around the world.” He added that because of his current concert trek, “The No. 1 tour in the world is under the flag of country music.”
Ed Hardy presented Mayor Dean with a custom-designed, 18-carat gold pin in the shape of a musical note, embedded with a diamond. “Music has a $10 billion impact on Nashville. He was the first mayor to ever recognize that. You understood the importance and value of our music industry. Thank you for all that you’ve done.”
More than 1,000 fans surrounded the site, cheering as Garth and Trisha waved and posed for snapshots. After admiring each others’ stars in the Walkway, they talked to the press corps.
“I was shocked to hear that we’re the first husband and wife to be inducted together,” Trisha remarked. “That makes it so much sweeter. Being on the same piece of pavement with this man is an honor as an artist and a wife.”
When Loretta Lynn’s star, “is right next to you, that’s when you know you’ve made it,” added Garth. “And we went in with ‘The Elvis Presley Mayor,’ a rock star who can also balance a budget.”
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Mayor Dean steps down in a couple of weeks. Trisha asked him what’s next. He responded, “My plan on leaving office is to take a vacation, teach at Belmont and stay involved with the community. I love Nashville, and I’ll never leave.”
Guitarist David Anderson serenaded the crowd before the stars arrived and provided instrumental versions of their hits in between the speeches and presentations.
Terry Bulger, Terry Bumgarner, Kerry O’Neil, Kent Oliver, Bob Doyle, Bobby Wood, Joe Galante, Joe Mansfield, Stormie Warren, Stacy Harris, Preshus Tomes, Rusty Jones, Randy Goodman, Jason Moon Wilkins, Cindy Watts, Hunter Kelly, Bruce Bouton, Bill Catino, Ken Robold, Mike Bohan, Butch Spyridon and Sally Williams worked the room.
So did Megan Barry, campaigning to succeed Dean as Mayor of Nashville. As it happened, the event occurred on Election Day.
“Megan’s got a couple of things going on today, so bear with her,” kidded Karl.
At 9:10 p.m. that night, Megan Barry took to the podium to deliver her victory speech as she handily won the election to become the first female mayor in Nashville history. At a party at the Farmer’s Market attended by hundreds, she said, “I need you to help me write the next chapter in Nashville’s story….I cannot do this without all of you.”
Like Mayor Dean, mayor-elect Barry is a graduate of Leadership Music. She added, “This story is going to be written by the artists, the musicians, the entertainers who inspire all of us. These creatives need a mayor who is going to support the artistic community and make sure that Nashville stays affordable.”
She was cheered by business folks like Ron Samuels, Saralee & Larry Woods, Michael O’Neill and Randy Rayburn; visual artists Bill Myers and Myles Mailiie; politicians Howard Gentry, Harold Love, John Ray Clements, Brenda Wynn and Jeff Yarbro; and our own Music Row fabulons Nancy Shapiro, Mary Ann McCready & Roy Wunsch, Beth Gwinn, Rolff Zwiep, Pat Halper, Rob Simbeck, Kay West, her son Harry West of the rock band Wild Cub, Beverly Keel, Hunter Davis, Manuel and Lauren Tingle.
We waved foam-rubber hammers reading, “Nail it Down: Mid-South Carpenters for Barry.” We dined on chicken barbecue, bow-tie pasta salad, coleslaw, corn casserole, beans, bruschetta, cornbread and pudding deserts. We sipped box wine and tapped beer. We bopped to classic Motown hits booming over the sound system. We cheered as the results rolled in.
“At the end of the day, Nashville always does the right thing,” said Ronnie Steine.

SESAC-affiliated artist/songwriter/producer Simon Reid
has signed a publishing agreement with Diamond Eye Music. Originally
from the UK, Reid is also an accomplished session musician with 15 years
of experience working with a variety of artists in Nashville studios.
As well as having an Honors degree from Edinburgh Napier University, he has produced a track for ABC Family’s 10 Things I Hate About You,
co-written a song for The British Red Cross, won 1st place in The
Pacific Songwriting Competition (Pop/Ballad category), and was awarded a
place in the BBC Songwriters’ Academy in 2008.
As a session musician, Simon has performed live with The Wanted
(BBC1), We See Lights (Canada), The Rise (Italy) and Jamie Kimmett
(Italy).

It was billed as “A Night of Live Music,” but the 9th Annual ACM Honors presentation was more than that.
Staged at the Ryman on Tuesday night (9/1), the event was indeed characterized by swell performances by Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Holly Williams, Jason Aldean, Restless Heart, Roy Clark, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Isaak and Randy Houser. Yet the ACM also spent plenty of time honoring its own inner circle – Bob Romeo, Barry Adelman, Tim DuBois and the Ryman, itself.
The gig began with a snazzy cocktail party on the 90-degree Ryman
patio outside. This was highlighted by the imaginative catering of M
Street. We snacked on such unique fare as mushroom tarts with blueberry
vinaigrette, veggie sushi in pink-rice wraps, lobster-and-popcorn hors
d’oeuvres and spiced chicken meatballs, plus a more conventional desert
of chocolate mousse.
Pre-show schmoozers included John Marks, John Huie, Pat Higdon, Pat McMakin, Debbie Linn, Debbie Carroll, Charlie Cook, Charlie Monk, Terri Walker and Christy Walker Watkins. Fittingly, the very first person we greeted was Ryman Auditorium superstar Sally Williams.

Jake Owen hosts the ACM Honors. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.

Inside, Bob Romeo greeted the capacity crowd and asked for a moment of silence for the late, great Jeff Walker. Host Jake Owen took the stage to sing “Feels So Right” in honor of Alabama.
“Feels pretty good tonight in the Ryman, Nashville, Tennessee!” he said. “Are you guys in the mood now?” We were.The Swon Brothers presented the ACM Industry Awards.
The winning venues were Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Hollywood Bowl, the
MGM Grand in Vegas, Hard Rock Live in Biloxi and the Country Thunder
festival in Wisconsin. Joe’s Bar in Chicago won in the nightclub
category and its Ed Warm won Promoter of the Year.
The Ryman won its category for the fourth time. It hosted 76 country
shows this year and underwent a $14 million renovation. The venue’s Sally Williams won her second Talent Buyer of the Year ACM accolade.

Sally Williams. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

“I’m really lucky to be doing this job, and I want to acknowledge
that,” she said. “In my life, I have never worked with a team of more
passionate people.”
The Studio Recording Awards were presented by Kelsea Ballerini. They went to Greg Morrow (drums), Michael Rojas (keyboards), Dan Dugmore (steel), Ilya Toshinsky (specialty instruments) and the absent Jay Joyce (producer), Glenn Worf (bass), Chuck Ainlay (engineer) and Tom Bukovac (guitar).
The Gene Weed Special Achievement Award went to Luke Bryan, who scored six No. 1 hits from his Crash My Party album. Bryan was serenaded by his tour mate Randy Houser with a fiery, intense rendition of “Roller Coaster.”
“Today is September first,” said Bryan. “On Sept. 1, 2001, I moved to
Nashville with a dream. I never dreamed I would even be let into the
Ryman, never mind this.”

Miranda Lambert performs. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

The Mae Boren Axton Awards went to Tim DuBois and BarryAdelman. The flawless vocal harmonies of Restless Heart on “The Bluest Eyes in Texas” were for the former.
“He’s a visionary in the way he puts words together,” said lead singer Larry Stewart. “He’s a visionary in the way he puts people together. He put us together,” as well as Brooks & Dunn.
Adelman’s music was a heart-tugging performance of “Yesterday When I Was Young” by Roy Clark.
Continuing the theme of honoring its own, the ACM’s Romeo was next
presented with a surprise Special Recognition award. He led the way to
the ACM 50th-anniversay triumph attracting 70 thousand attendees (in the Dallas NFL stadium) and 16 million viewers to its awards show.

Kacey Musgraves performs. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

The music resumed with Kacey Musgraves doing a wry, winsome “Good Ol’ Boys Club” in honor of Songwriter of the Year winner Luke Laird. He co-produces and co-writes with Musgraves.
“This is all so surreal,” said Laird. “The first time I came to
Nashville was in the summer of 1995 on a family vacation. I became a
huge country music fan in the 1990s.” He moved here to attend MTSU and
break into the biz.Jason Aldean sang a medley of “Tennessee River,”
“Love in the First Degree” and “The Closer You Get” in honor of Career
Achievement Award winners Alabama.
“Some of the first music I remember hearing was from Alabama,” said
Aldean. “So these guys are a huge reason why I am in this business.” He
added that the group is, “the best band that’s ever been, in my
opinion.”

“Just wait until you see what we’ll do in the next 30 years,” quipped the group’s Jeff Cook. Host Jake Owen said that he is frequently asked if he is Randy Owen’s son, and that he always answers, “Yes, ma’am.” He isn’t. By the way, Jake’s affable road manager Greg Fowler did that job for Alabama for two decades.Holly Williams was spellbinding and soulful singing “Like Jesus Does” to honor Eric Church. He was given the Jim Reeves International Award. Church recalled facing a crowd in Cologne, Germany with trepidation.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared,” he recalled. “I smelled
marijuana and thought, ‘This is going to go all right.’ They sang every
song. They held their boots up. I learned something that night: You
don’t have to speak English to speak music fluently.”
A posthumous Poet’s Award went to Boudleaux & FeliceBryant. The enduringly cool Chris Isaak, who is recording his new album in Nashville, sang “Bye Bye Love” in the late couple’s honor.

Chris Isaak performs. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.

“This award…shows the enduring quality of their simple yet ingenious works of art,” said son Del Bryant. “As my mama would say, ‘Boud, we did it again,’” added son Dane Bryant.
The resonant, rich, warm voice of Josh Turner delivered “Good Ol’ Boys Like Me” to salute Poet’s Award winner Bob McDill.
“I have always wanted to stand on this stage,” said McDill. “Tonight,
I get the chance. Thank you, Nashville, for letting me be a part of
this club for 30 years. I am in fine company tonight. Or, as we say in
the South, in tall cotton.”
The ACM Crystal Milestone Award was given to Loretta Lynn. Newly divorced Miranda Lambert gave a feisty, spirited performance of Lynn’s divorced-woman song “Rated X.”

“Thank you, ‘Miss Loretty,’ for writing that song and being so brave,” said Lambert. “I am so thankful for woman empowerment.”
“I just thought I’d drop in and see if Miranda was keepin’ it
country,” said Lynn. “I want to thank y’all for another award. And, hey,
I’ll be back next year for another one!”
Like many, many of the night’s honorees and performers, she was given a standing ovation.
Leading the applause were Mike Sirls, Mike Vaden, Mike
Kinneman, David Macias, David Pomeroy, Fletcher Foster, Sarah Skates,
John Ozier, John Peets, John Jarvis, Johnny Duke, Joe Galante, Rac
Clark, Karen Clark, Chris Parr, Chuck Aly, Sherod Robertson and Rod Essig.

On Aug. 31, 2005 Scott Borchetta and Toby Keith
took the stage at Nashville’s Global Cafe to announce their respective
record labels, Keith’s Show Dog and Borchetta’s Big Machine, would
launch the following day. Today (Sept. 1) marks that 10-year
anniversary.
A celebration was held this morning at the Bridgestone Tower’s
SiriusXM studio for the latter company; which has gone on to boast five
imprints with 65 No. 1 hits, more than 50 million albums sold and more
than 200 million singles sold. A staff of 93 now oversees a talent
roster of 30 recording artists in addition to three racing drivers. To
boot, Borchetta’s personal garage contains 19 cars.
“Each time I sign an artist it’s a $1 million gamble,” said Borchetta to MusicRow.
“I told our investors from the beginning, if they didn’t have the money
to lose, don’t come along with us. Go to the horse races. I wanted
investors who felt it will be fun, if it works or it doesn’t.
“I bought out our main shareholder, Ray Pronto,
earlier this year so I own 90 percent of the label. Toby Keith is still a
silent partner. I never hear from him except for when I see him out.
We’ll usually give each other high-fives.”

Scott Borchetta at the 10 year celebration. Photo: Bev Moser.

As part of the celebration, a $100,000 donation was made by Borchetta
to Metro Nashville Public School’s Music Makes Us initiative.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean,Chris Henson (Interim Director of Schools), Dr. Jay Steele (Chief Academic Officer) and Dr. Nola Jones
(Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts) were on hand to accept the
charitable gift. Hume-Fogg students sat front row at the event, wearing
Music Has Value-branded apparel, courtesy of the label group’s brand,
for which it has even launched a digital and physical storefront.
“In three years we restored band programs at all 33 middle schools;
created new choral programs in 10 schools; established 45 new classes in
18 schools including mariachi, rock band, world percussion, country and
bluegrass songwriting, and hip-hop,” declared Mayor Dean. “We’ve also
opened a world-class recording studio, student-run record label and
launched an online hub connecting Nashville music professionals with
teachers.”
“To think for one minute that music wouldn’t be in schools? No! Not
on our watch,” supposed Borchetta of his contribution to the initiative.
“There’s a lot of pride today about music, about Nashville and about
the great artists that have been a part of the Big Machine Label Group.
“I have always found that when I save up for something and buy it, I
have great value in it. It means that much more to me. One of the things
that is happening in real-time is adding value back to music so we can
all continue to invest and make sure this great art form has a home for
the rest of our lives and beyond.”
Recording artists The Cadillac Three and Danielle Bradbery were also present in support of their label head. The events aired later in the day on SiriusXM’s The Highway.

Looking back on his decade of impact on the global music industry,
Borchetta said, “It’s still an outlier to invest in a brand new record
company. But if you look back at the prospectus I wrote, it’s really a
crazy look-in-the-future moment.”
At launch, Show Dog and Big Machine equally shared staffing
resources, including promotion team and administrative resources,
although financing remained separate. Keith footed a reported $5 million
bill for his financing, and Borchetta’s investors in the other.
Meaning, sooner or later Big Machine was to become profitable based upon
its own roster which at the time included Danielle Peck, Taylor Swift, and Jack Ingram.
“Our early vision was survival,” recalled Borchetta. “It was get your
boots on the ground, get these records played, get these artists
exposed, and music in the stores wherever those stores were. There was a
limited window where I only wanted to give up so much of the company
for investment. I never wanted to go back to have a stock sale.
“I was part of startups before with MTM Records (30 years ago) and
DreamWorks (1998),” said Borchetta. “You look at both of those
situations in particular, DreamWorks staffed-up but we didn’t have
records. Every day money is going the wrong way. I made sure that when
Big Machine opened we had records out. Jack Ingram had a No. 1 on his
first single and Taylor’s first single came out in June of 2006 (“Tim
McGraw”) and her album in October 2006. We were very blessed with early
success.”
What’s next for the 21st century music mogul? “We’re going to expand
into a lot of other medias by survival, demand and opportunity,” he
proudly concluded.

SESAC-affiliated artist/songwriter/producer Simon Reid has signed a publishing agreement with Diamond Eye Music. Originally from the UK, Reid is also an accomplished session musician with 15 years of experience working with a variety of artists in Nashville studios. Recently, Reid and Diamond Eye publishing executives gathered at the SESAC Nashville headquarters to celebrate the new arrangement.